CLAREMORE, Okla. – There is a new name at the top of the St. Edward's Baseball Record Book for coaching victories, and its Hilltopper skipper Rob Penders. With St. Edward's doubleheader sweep of Rogers State on Saturday, Penders passes John Knorr on the all-time wins list with 319 victories following a pair of 4-3 wins over the Hilltcats Saturday afternoon at the Diamond Sports Complex.
Penders, who now has a career record of 319-157 in his nine seasons, passes Knorr (317-198), who is a former St. Edward's Athletic Director and SEU Hall of Famer. Knorr was head coach from 1978-85 and 1991-92.
Penders also currently owns the program's career winning percentage at .670, besting Knorr (.616) and Hilltopper/Texas Longhorn coaching legend Billy Disch (.660).
Game 1In the opening game of Saturday's doubleheader, St. Edward's (20-8, 7-2 HC) got the scoring started early, pushing across two runs in the first inning.
A.J. HERMANSON reached on a one-out single, and
JOSEPH OLSON got on with a two-out single. Jonathan Arrowood doubled both home on an opposite field shot to the gap in left field.
After Rogers State (9-14, 2-7 HC) fought back with three runs in the bottom of the inning, the Hilltoppers answered with two more runs in the top of the second inning. St. Edward's started the rally with two outs. Singles from
WESLEY HARRIS,
NATE TURNER and Hermanson loaded the bases.
GABLE WHITACRE singled to centerfield to plate two runs and give the lead back to the visitors, 4-3.
That is all the Hilltoppers would need, as starting pitcher
BRYCE DAVIS did not allow a Hillcat to reach second base from the second inning on. Davis, making his first start of the season, got the victory allowing three runs on nine hits, while striking out four batters in 7.0 innings of work.
Game 2In the series finale, Hilltopper starting pitcher
CAMERON STANTON was absolutely outstanding. The junior allowed just three hits through the first six innings of action.
The Hilltoppers scratched out a single run in the fourth, fifth and seventh innings for a 3-0 lead. Turner, Olson, and Hermanson each had an RBI to help the cause.
The Hillcats clawed their way back into the game with a run in the seventh inning, and two more in the eighth to knot the score, 3-3.
In the top of the ninth, Harris reached base on a one-out single. After a fly out by Turner, Harris came up with a clutch stolen base with two outs. Hermanson singled up the middle to drive in Harris for a 4-3 Hilltopper lead.
CAM HATCH came on in the bottom of the ninth to shut down Rogers State for his fifth save of the season. He had two strikeouts in the inning.
DAN BECKS (2-0) picked up the win in relief for St. Edward's.
St. Edward's will be back in action Tuesday when they host Texas A&M-Kingsville. The two teams have squared off three times in the last two NCAA Regional Tournaments. First-pitch is set for 2:30 p.m. at Lucian-Hamilton Field with live video and stats available on the Hilltopper Athletic Website.
